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XPS Vs Area51m

post #1 of 35
6/22/04 at 4:33pm
Thread Starter 
Ok guys. So I am on the verge of getting a new lappie. The final hours are approaching until I make my decision. I searched far and wide through the threads and could not find exactly what I am looking for, so here goes the question.

Should I purchase an Area51m or a Dell XPS? Dell has a sale right now at 15% off XPS systems. This is what Dell has going for it that beats Alienware. WUXGA display, Dual channel memory, cheaper with the 15% off deal. Alienware has the awesome look to it, and the great customer support, but only single channel memory and WSXGA display. Also, Alienware has the user-upgradeable graphics but they are more expensive in the long run.

Please, unbiased comments only. Thank you.


Edit: I can live without the dual channel memory, but I am really concerned about the quality of the WSXGA compared to the WUXGA LCD screen.
By the way, Dell has a 8x dual layer burner compared to Alienware's 4x burner.
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post #2 of 35
6/22/04 at 4:48pm
I have owned my alienware for about 8 months now and it still plays anything i can throw at it and I expect it to for quite some time. You have com up with some good and bad points for both laptops. I however would suggest you go with alienware. we actaully had on member of these forums send back his XPS due to problmes and buy alienware instead. He was thinking alon gthe same lines as you. However if you don't get an alienware you should at least look at getting a sager instead of a dell. They are also very nice laptops as far as preformance goes and they look better than the XPS but still not quite as good as the Alienware. Thats my Honest Opinion.

http://pctorque.com/products.php
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post #3 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:20pm
the thing about dell is this...

Dell makes its money from major corporate orders, not the little individuals. So corporate service is great, but public is seriously lacking. I have major issues against dell, and that's why I went to Alienware. I'm glad I didn't take the XPS as I had lots of customers tell of problems with it. I say Alienware or Sager all the way.
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post #4 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:27pm
dual channell vs. single channel you wont see ANY performance idfference if you have 1 GB of RAM, so i dont think this will eb an issue.

as for the lcd, i dont like any widescreen displays but the 16.1" lcd is incredible!

the 8x dual layer burner is nice... but the 4x in the AW works great. plus smethign liek dvd x copy platinum will copy any dvd to 1 disc.

so ig uess it all comes doens to how much the screen matters to you. someone with the 15.4" screen would have ot help you out wit that
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post #5 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daegras
the thing about dell is this...

Dell makes its money from major corporate orders, not the little individuals. So corporate service is great, but public is seriously lacking. I have major issues against dell, and that's why I went to Alienware. I'm glad I didn't take the XPS as I had lots of customers tell of problems with it. I say Alienware or Sager all the way.
I agree Its either Alienware for Killer looks and upgradable graphics or sager for compareable features and ok looks!
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post #6 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:30pm
oh, and I was reading up the concept of dual layer burning, and it's still pretty sketchy. there is a high chance of screwing up the burning...
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post #7 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:31pm
Or a FragBook from FNW
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post #8 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:33pm
Can you buy blank dual layer DVD's yet? I did not think you could yet.
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post #9 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daegras
oh, and I was reading up the concept of dual layer burning, and it's still pretty sketchy. there is a high chance of screwing up the burning...
i have one, bought it for the dual xeon machine im building but temporarily put it in my other desktop... ive burned 9 dvds with no failures yet
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post #10 of 35
6/22/04 at 5:34pm
Get the Alienware...
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post #11 of 35
6/22/04 at 6:22pm
I'm typing on one now. I rules, trust me. I can say it kicks Dells butt... I have the shame of owning one of the desktops
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post #12 of 35
6/22/04 at 6:38pm
I'm going to throw this in, which I have always wanted to.

Harley Davidson bikes.
Known to leak, and requires a lot of attention. Vibration, and not the most comfortable ride.

But I see one 2 miles back in my rear view mirror, The rumble of the motor blurs the image on the mirror as I watch it until it passes me on the road. I want one! And I know the rider sees my face looking out the car window at his bike wanting one.

Maybe the Harley is a bad example, but the feeling of wanting one is what I wanted to point out.

Make your choice and get what you want to get so you do not have to want what someone else has.

Enjoy!
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post #13 of 35
6/22/04 at 7:56pm
I used the XPS and I found it rather unconfortable playing games on its keyboard (farcry and UT2004) its like a big thick brick.. but its damn fast cant really see to much difference between my friends XPS and my AW they both mad fast. I have the 16.1 screen and think it looks way better than the XPS 15.4 but that just my opion
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post #14 of 35
6/22/04 at 8:00pm
I have seen the dual layer disc import for sale at 13.30 a disc :-0... still soon thou I bought the new sony dual layer for my desktop..
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post #15 of 35
6/22/04 at 8:19pm
The Dell is cheaper and has generally better performance than the AW, but AW is a better company and the Area-51m is actually somewhat mobile. The iXPS is a big fugly brick.

I would go with the Alienware. Dell's tech support is non-existant, as I have found out for myself in the past month. Luckily, I have this forum. Its not like I am sorry that I bought my 8600, though.
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post #16 of 35
6/22/04 at 9:47pm
the dell is bulkier and uglier

you'd be happier with the AW

when 2 notebooks can be configured w/ the same components hardware wise... you got to look at the little things like aesthetics, overall package, warranty, service, etc in order to come to a decision!

and price too
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post #17 of 35
6/23/04 at 1:32am
Rincewind ,

You should make clear who the avatar is.

Or you get mobbed like Bendova
Is that you? You are hot! Can I see you in real life?
If you are a dude. Is that your sister? Can I meet her?

You get the idea?
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post #18 of 35
6/23/04 at 2:57am
yeah tell her to set the alarm clock for 7:15, and dont forget, I dont wanna be late to work again!!
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post #19 of 35
6/23/04 at 8:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ121983
Edit: I can live without the dual channel memory, but I am really concerned about the quality of the WSXGA compared to the WUXGA LCD screen.
Currently I still own both, the XPS and the AW 51m (15.4"). Personally I prefer the XPS's WUXGA screen over the 51m's 15.4" WSXGA screen because on the XPS I can set a 1600x1200 resolution and it will display without any distortion (un-stretched, with black bars on the sides) - you can't display that resolution on the 15.4" AW at all. Your only choice there would be to get the 16.1" AW screen but from what I've read here in the forums it seems like there is more ghosting on those screens - and it's a lot more money.

Another thing you might want to consider if you plan on using an external flat panel display is that the XPS has a digital DVI connector and the 51m just has the standard SVGA analog connector. Also, I have read somewhere that the ATI High Definition display adapter works on the XPS's DVI connector too.

-Geed
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post #20 of 35
6/23/04 at 9:32am
I first owned the Alienware 51m and sold it and got the XPS. Personally I love the way the Alienware looked but it's perfomance left something to be desired. My problems were the terrilbe DVD playback, the jery touchpad which had a scroll function that worked when it wanted to. The speakers had static from time to time. I owned the 16.1" and exchanged it for the 15.4" thinking it would be better. Some people find no problems with the DVD playback or don't use it for that purpose period.
I haven't had any problems with the XPS. Yes it's ugly and a little thick. I could care less about someone having to come out and change the video card as long as it's possible. The sound is great with the subwoofer and the screen is perfect. The WUXGA takes a little getting used too. Dell has specialized tech-support for the XPS.
I would suggest getting the Dell first if you're unsure and then returning it if your not happy since all your obligated to pay for is the shipping. Alienware charges a 15% re-stocking fee.
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